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Scales... N or HO

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Scales... N or HO
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 8:45 PM
I was just wondering what people prefer.

Thanx for answering.

Benjamin R.
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Posted by simon1966 on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 8:49 PM
I am in HO for the simple reason that I wanted to be able to run my old British OO scale from my childhood. If I were starting fresh, I would give N a serious consideration. I would consider N for the ability to have more track in my space. I really enjoy some of the excellent N scale module layouts at local train shows. My concerns with N would be the size. My eyes are not what they used to be. Also i would be concerned about DCC decoder installation being harder in the smaller locomotives.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

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Posted by orsonroy on Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:23 AM
While I model in both scales, I generally prefer HO. There's more availability in HO, especially when it comes to steam and freight car models, and it's easier to scratchbuild rolling stock in HO. Conversely, N is better for running long trains and lots of realistic scenery, and scratchbuilding structures is much easier in N.

Ray Breyer

Modeling the NKP's Peoria Division, circa 1943

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:37 AM
I voted HO. No good reason for me other than thats what I stareted with as a child and just stayed with it.
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Posted by AntonioFP45 on Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:46 AM
Been modeling HO since the 70s. However, I like the fact that with N-Scale it's easy to model those "Mile Long" intermodals, or unit hopper trains. N Scale quality has improved tremendously in just the past decade.

N Scale is especially convenient today when one considers that the typical, modern suburban home has much less space in it than homes built 70 years ago.

"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"

 


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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 9:53 AM
HO....just because all we do is switching/coupling/uncoupling.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 10:29 AM
I started in N but switched to HO, mostly due to the selection available in HO, especially the steam and geared locomotives.
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Posted by egmurphy on Thursday, October 21, 2004 10:39 AM
I voted for N because I'm building my layout in N scale, primarily due to space restrictions. I've got a 3'x 6'- 8" portable layout built on a standard size hollow core wood door that I can lean up againt the wall when not in use.

If I had unlimited space available I probably would be tempted to consider HO.


Regards

Ed


The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
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Posted by Pruitt on Thursday, October 21, 2004 10:43 AM
HO.

And even that seems to be getting smaller as my eyes are getting older.....!
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 10:54 AM
I enjoy both. Equally? Yes. Though I've decided the "Empire" will be in N scale for the long runs and big scenery, I enjoy the greater detail in HO layouts and am building a switching layout to satisfy that.

If I had my space for my true preference and had to vote for one, it would be O, which somehow didn't make it to the poll.

Wayne
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 11:07 AM
HO is a more detailed scale to me. I also knew in about 15 years I wouldnt be able to see N-scale. but I do have a 2x4 shelf diorama in N scale.
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Posted by jdolan on Thursday, October 21, 2004 12:36 PM
Have been in HO since the 1960s too expensive to change now
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 1:18 PM
N scale!!!!!
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Posted by n2mopac on Thursday, October 21, 2004 2:19 PM
I started in HO, but switched to N and love it because of the amount of railroad you can model in the same space.

Ron

Owner and superintendant of the N scale Texas Colorado & Western Railway, a protolanced representaion of the BNSF from Fort Worth, TX through Wichita Falls TX and into Colorado. 

Check out the TC&WRy on at https://www.facebook.com/TCWRy

Check out my MRR How-To YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/RonsTrainsNThings

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 2:33 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

I voted for N because I'm building my layout in N scale, primarily due to space restrictions...

Same here, so I committed to N-scale for now. For a future project, if space allowed, I might go to HO. But it would be difficult to take me away from N-scale now that I'm in it.

---jps
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Posted by RedLeader on Thursday, October 21, 2004 2:54 PM
My first train was HO, and so will be my last one... N scale is ok, but to small, is like watching a train from an airplane. With HO I'm just the Jolly Green Giant.

 

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Posted by twhite on Thursday, October 21, 2004 3:08 PM
I voted HO, because I've been in that scale for at least 30 years. I like the selection, and the variety. I think, however, if I were just coming into the hobby, I'd probably take a good, hard look at N, because of the space factor. I know at hobby shows, I usually hit the N-trak modules first, just to watch those long, LONG trains and the spectacular scenery. But one of the things that might turn me off to N is the fact that I model 100% steam, and there's just not the variety of steam locos available in N scale. But I admit that N scale kind of fascinates me.
Tom
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 3:17 PM
I have both, but prefer HO - you can switch far more easily in HO as the larger locos seem to be more reliable. I do add to my N scale collection sometimes - recently picked up a Bachmann F7B for £6 on eBay to match the A unit I've had for a while. I am slowly working on a collection of European N equipment by Fleischmann, Minitrix, etc - planning to build an 8x2 layout at some point (2 4x2 boards end to end). I think N is better for long trains though, as you don't need a large amount of space to run believeable consists.
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Posted by CP5415 on Thursday, October 21, 2004 4:45 PM
HO scale here.
My dad started started out in HO long before I was born, in the 60's by the way & it's just stuck with me.
We had dabbled in N scale, but I never really liked the size of it.

Gordon

Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!

 K1a - all the way

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Posted by DavidH on Thursday, October 21, 2004 4:50 PM
Been in N since 1970, but, if I were starting over today, I'd go with HO just due to vision issues.

David
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Posted by NZRMac on Thursday, October 21, 2004 4:52 PM
I voted HO

I considered selling all the HO stuff and going N just so I'd have more track. but ran the idea past the railroad president and book keeper and she said "after all that work"!!
so I'll stick to HO ( it's easier to see what I'm doing too!)

Ken
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 6:46 PM
HO, simply because N is too small for my fat fingers and bi-focal eyes.
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Posted by Sunset Limited on Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:05 PM
I love both scales, HO and N. I started in HO, and I love the details and the performance. I have a nice collection of HO. But like most folks, I don't have much on space, I have been collecting some N-Scale equipment and just about to build a layout. That's N-scales advantage, large layout in a small space. The equipment has been improving over the years. I'm going to give N-Scale a try, if it don't work out, I still have my HO equipment.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:15 PM
N scale to me is too small, More things for HO is on the market.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 7:25 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Brunton

HO.
And even that seems to be getting smaller as my eyes are getting older.....!


I feel your pain! [:0]
I scratchbuilt an O scale reefer a few years back, and boy! What a refreshing thing to build something without magnification!
Problem is, I've got so much HO stuff that I don't want to part with, that getting into O full time would be too much Aggrevation![}:)]!
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 8:00 PM
I am an old fart, but failing eyesight has not yet become a problem. I like HO simply because I scratchbuild all my steam locomotives, or substantially rebuild old diecast locomotives to match a specific prototype. There are scads of detail parts available in HO scale. The gears available to moderate the speed (and low speed operation) are abundantly available for HO sized locomtives. My layout is strictly steam era and is in a mountainous setting. My largest operating (on the layout) locomotive is a small Mike and, like the full sized railroads, this limits the length of train that can be moved over 2.5 percent grades. And the biggest reason I am in HO? I am in the possession of very short, stubby fingers, and HO is the smallest scale in which I can build and be satisfied with the end product. I have made my choice based on what I want from the hobby. I admire many of the modular N scale layouts I have seen at various shows, and I support those individuals who model in N scale. If I had the space, the only choice for me would be O scale, specifically precise scale (exact scale?) modelling.

Tom
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 8:11 PM
I've been in H.O. since about 1959 & have tons of engines & rolling stock & now have a large layout to accommadate all these trains.
I run long trains & a lot of Diesels. I have tried to work on "N", but it is to small for me. I have trouble enough w/H.O. sometimes w/couplers & such.

Larry
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 8:28 PM
I voted HO, but do you realize that a 14000' long building would allow you to creat the LA to San Francisco Southern Pacific track in perfect N scale???? You would need a large pond along side if you wanted the ocean.

We must all dream of the perfect model railroad. !

I visited Balboa Park in San Diego recently and spent a few hours at the six or so model railroads. They have close to a two thousand square foot N scale layout that really is great. The two HO layouts are indescribable without pictures and if you get a chance to see them, do it.
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 10:49 PM
Well thank you very much Benjamin R.!!![banghead] lol....
Now I'm really gonna have to do my homework as far as which scale I want to build my first layout. I love the detail I have seen on the HO models, but I would also like to create those mile long trains that I hear people talking about with the N scale. Space is not a problem for me, but whoa......the layout that I could have with N scale[bow]
Somebody please....................just shoot me!
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Posted by rexhea on Thursday, October 21, 2004 11:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by bobchuck

HO, simply because N is too small for my fat fingers and bi-focal eyes.


Yeah! Me too, but not just fat fingers----also stiff and clumsy fingers.
Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock

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